Connecting, Protecting, and Giving Back

From community partnerships to safety tips and giving back, here’s how we’re working together to make Brookhaven stronger.

Author

Community Engagement
February 17, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes

Welcome to the Brookhaven Community Pulse inaugural issue. Your weekly guide to staying informed, safe and connected with our community.

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In this week's issue:

Building Stronger Connections in Brookhaven

Brookhaven isn’t just a city—it’s a community, and the strength of any community comes from how engaged and connected its members are. The Brookhaven Police Department is here to serve, protect, and partner with you—but real public safety is a two-way street.

We want to hear from you! How would you like to get more involved with BPD? Are there safety trainings, community programs, or engagement opportunities you’d like to see? Would you be interested in learning more about self-defense, personal safety in a moment of crisis, or how policing works behind the scenes?

Our goal is to build a more connected, informed, and engaged Brookhaven, where residents and officers work together to keep our city safe. Your voice matters, and we’re listening.

Drop us a message, join a community event, or stop by one of our programs—let’s make 2025 the year of connection and collaboration.

Brookhaven Police Department & Cross Keys HS Students

Community Heroes: Cross Key High School

Coffee & Conversations w/Cross Keys HS

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the privilege of connecting with the incredible students and parents of Cross Keys High School through their Coffee & Conversations series and hands-on learning experiences.

From hosting behind-the-scenes tours of the Brookhaven Police Department to welcoming students for discussions on criminal law, CSI, and more, this partnership has been about education, trust, and community-building.

To the students, parents, and staff of Cross Keys High School—thank you for your engagement and continual partnership. We look forward to growing this partnership and continuing to build trust, understanding, and opportunity for all.

Safety Tips: Stay Aware While Jogging & Walking with Headphones

Music and podcasts can make a jog or walk more enjoyable, but being too plugged in can put your safety at risk. Whether you’re exercising in your neighborhood, on a trail, or near traffic, staying aware of your surroundings is key.

Keep the Volume Low – If you’re wearing headphones, make sure you can still hear traffic, people, and emergency sirens. Consider using just one earbud to stay more alert.

Stay Visible – If you’re walking or running near roadways, wear bright or reflective clothing, especially in the early morning or evening hours.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings – Look around often and avoid distractions from your phone. If something feels off, trust your instincts and change your route or seek a well-lit, populated area.

Follow Traffic & Pedestrian Signals – Cross at designated crosswalks, make eye contact with drivers before crossing, and never assume a vehicle will stop.

Consider Safety Features – If jogging alone, let someone know your route, use a running app with live location sharing, and carry a personal alarm or whistle.

Staying active is important, but staying safe is even more important. Keep your headphones at a safe volume, stay alert, and make sure you can always hear what’s happening around you. Your awareness can prevent accidents and keep you safe on every step of your journey!

If you see something, say something. Your call could make all the difference. For emergencies, always dial 911.

Brookhaven Police Department

Community Events

If you are interested in volunteering or would like Brookhaven Police to join one of your events or engagements, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]

Special Olympics Polar Plunge
📆 Saturday, February 22nd | 12:00 PM
📍 Acworth Beach 4425 Beach St., Acworth, GA. 30101

Join us as we gear up for the Polar Plunge which is one of the biggest events in support of the Special Olympics, and we want YOU to be part of it! Join us for Freezin’ for a Reason with your Brookhaven Police department as we show our support for these amazing athletes.

Brookhaven Police Citizens Police Academy - Now Enrolling
📆 Wednesday, March 5th - May 7th | Every Wednesday at 7:00 PM
📍 Brookhaven Police Department

Ever wanted to see what it’s like to be a Brookhaven Police Officer? The Citizens Police Academy is your opportunity to learn firsthand about law enforcement operations, training, and community policing. Engage with officers, participate in hands-on activities, and gain a deeper understanding of how the Brookhaven Police Department serves the community.

🔹 Who can join? Brookhaven residents, business owners, and community members.
🔹 How to sign up? Spaces are limited—secure yours today!

Resources and Programs

Resources

  • Brookhaven Alert powered by Smart911 is the official emergency notification system used by the City of Brookhaven to communicate with residents during emergencies.

  • If you are a Brookhaven resident and you leave for home for an extended period of time you can sign up for our Residential Checks.

  • We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our residents and business. One way we do that is by providing free security assessments to our residents and local businesses.

  • If you have a traffic complaint, we are here to listen.

  • The City of Brookhaven Offers Brookhaven Connect, a free smart phone app for citizens to report problems like potholes, code violations or sidewalk issues.

Programs

  • The Brookhaven Citizen Police Academy is designed to provide community members with an overview of how their local Police Department works.

  • Citizens on Patrol (COPs) is a community policing program sponsored by the Brookhaven Police Department.

  • The Brookhaven Police Department’s “Operation Plugged In” is a police/community video partnership that operates on a voluntary basis with the homeowners, neighborhoods & business owners who own private video security systems that record public areas such as roads, parking lots and sidewalks.

  • Learn more about our unmanned aerial systems (UAS) unit and view their flight history.

Download our Brookhaven Police App to stay in the know while you are on the go.

Crime Prevention - Protect Yourself Online

The internet connects us to everything—but it also exposes us to scammers, hackers, and cyber threats. Whether you’re shopping, banking, or just browsing, staying safe online is more important than ever.

Use Strong Passwords & 2FA – Avoid simple passwords and never reuse them across multiple accounts. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra security.

Beware of Phishing Scams – If an email or text asks for personal info, payment, or login credentials, don’t click links—verify the source first! Legitimate companies won’t ask for sensitive info via email or text.

Keep Software & Devices Updated – Regularly update your phone, computer, and apps to protect against security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.

Be Cautious on Public Wi-Fi – Avoid entering sensitive information, like passwords or payment details, while on unsecured public networks. If you must, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for protection.

Think Before You Share – Personal details like your full name, location, and vacation plans can be used against you. Adjust your social media privacy settings and be mindful of what you post.

Monitor Your Accounts – Regularly check your bank statements, credit reports, and online accounts for suspicious activity. If something looks off, report it immediately.

The more cautious and proactive you are, the harder it is for cybercriminals to target you. Stay smart, stay secure, and always think twice before clicking!

Brookhaven Strong

Time is one of the most valuable things you can give—and volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference in your community. Whether it’s helping at local events, supporting a cause you believe in, or simply being there for a neighbor in need, every small effort adds up to something bigger.

Volunteering builds stronger connections. When you step up to serve, you don’t just help others—you become part of something greater.

It also changes lives, including your own. Giving back can boost your happiness, sense of purpose, and even your health.

Your skills and time matter. Whether you have an hour a month or a few hours a week, your contribution can create a lasting impact.

If you’ve ever thought, “How can I make a difference?”—volunteering is the answer. Step up, get involved, and help make Brookhaven stronger, one act of service at a time.

Engage with Us

Have a Question? We’ve Got Answers!
This section answers questions submitted by our community. Here’s one we received recently:

Q: “How do I request a copy of a police report or other public records from the Brookhaven Police Department?”

A: If you need access to a police report, accident report, or other records, you can submit a Public Records Request through the Brookhaven Police Department’s Open Records system.

How to Request a Report:
Submit Online: Complete the request form here: Brookhaven Police Open Records Request.
In-Person Requests: Visit the Brookhaven Police Department at:
📍 1793 Briarwood Rd NE, Brookhaven, GA 30329

Fees & Processing Time:

  • Some reports may have a small fee based on the type of record and printing costs.

  • Processing times vary depending on the request, but the department works to provide records as quickly as possible.

Please Note:

  • Certain records may be restricted due to active investigations or legal privacy laws.

  • If you’re unsure whether a report is available, contact the Records Division at (404) 637-0600 for assistance.

Need a report? Visit the link above and submit your request today!

Got a question? Submit it here, and we might feature it in the next issue!

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